Collection, treatment, and disposal of staple fiber produced by cutting continuous filaments



w. I. TAYLOR EI'AL 2,269,563, COLLECTION, TREATMENT, AND DISPOSAL OF STAPLE FIBER Jan. 13, 1942'.

PRODUCED BY CUTTING cou'rnwous FILAM-ENTS E 5 Wm B W B W A G T... L

2' Sheets-Sheet l FiledrOct. 3, 1939 ATTORNSY.

Jan. 13, 1942.

v w. I. TAYLOR ETAL ,269,563 COLLECTION, TREATMENT, AND DISPOSAL OF STAPLE FIBER PRODUCEDBX CUTTING CONTINUOUS FILAMENTS Filed Oct. 3, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE COLLECTION, TREATMENT, AND TISPOSAL OF STAPLE FIBER PRODUCED BY OUT- TING CONTINUOUS Celanese Corporation of Delaware Application mm. 3, 1939, Serial No. 297,676

in Great Britain 0mm 2c, 1938 13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to the collection, treatment and disposal of staple fiber produced by cutting continuous filaments.

According to the present invention, the staple fiber is removed from the point at which it has beencut from the continuous filaments by means of suction applied in such a way as to discharge the fibers below the level of a liquid. The fiber is thus collected in the liquid as a compact mass, and is nevertheless arranged in the mass in more "open condition as regards the spacing of fiber from fiber, the action of the liquid serving to break up close agglomeration of fibers. This opening action may be assisted by agitation of the fibers while they are still in the liquid, e. g. by having a flowing body of liquid. The liquid; moreover, may be used to apply any desired treatment for' modifying the properties of the fibers, for example the application of an identifying tint or'a content of anti-static finish in the case of fibers prone to electrification, or the saponification of cellulose ester filaments, e. g. cellulose acetate filaments. The invention thus enables the ready collection in compact form of fibers ready, after a suitable drying operation, for thesubsequent spinning process for which they are intended.

The fibers may be cut wet or dry. In the case of cutting continuous filaments in dry condition, the suction may serve to maintain the feeding of the continuous filaments into the cutting machine, in addition to removing the fibers from the delivery side of the machine. v In its simplest form, the apparatus for carrying out the invention comprises a cutting machine, a suction conduit leading from the cutting machine down into an enclosed chamber adapted to contain liquid to a level above the end of the conduit, and means to apply suction to the chamber above the liquid level. The amount of applied suction is sumclent to draw entraining air from the delivery conduit into the mass of the liquid, the entrained fibers remaining in the liquid. In order, however, to prevent clogging of the outlet of the delivery conduit, means should be provided to carry the fibers away from this point, these means preferably operating in a continuous manner. For example, theliquid' may be made to flow past the outlet of the conduit so as to carry the wetted fibers with it.

- allowed to collect to any suitable amount in the chamber, and then removed as a mass. For

this purpose, two chambers may be provided for alternative use, changeover valve mechanism enabling the delivery .conduitand the suction to be switched from one chamber to another. Suction of some 4 to 5 inches water gauge may be used and this suction may serve to hold a removable cover resting by gravity on the chamber, a

suitable rubber or other gasket being provided to seal the cover. The cover and/or the walls of the chamber may be provided with a window to I enable the amount of fiber at any time in thev trough to be readily seen.

-Provision may be made for continuous removal of the fiber from the body of liquid in which it is collected, as by providing a .continuous current of liquid, and removing liquid and fiber together, afterwards separating as much free liquid as possible from the fiber.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which show diagrammatically and partly in section various forms of apparatus.

Fig. 1 shows a simple apparatus comprising a chamber from which the fiber must be discharged at intervals;

Fig. 2 shows a detail of the modification suitable for apparatus of the type shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows apparatus arranged for the continuous discharge of fiber by means of a belt: Figs. 4 and 5 show two forms of apparatus providing for discharge and draining of the fiber;

Fig. 6 shows apparatus for a modified form ,of belt discharging device operating in conjunction with apparatus for the further treatment of the of the liquid Illsucks the fibers out by the Ear this purp0se,.the whole body of liquid may machine 4 through the conduit 8 as well as assisting in the feeding of the end of the bundle I through the funnel 3. As the fibers leave the the conduit I they are forced to pass into the liquid l8 and thus become thoroughly wetted. The fiber bundles are also broken up by the action of the liquid and the mass of bundles produced is thus brought into a better condition for the subsequent spinning of the fibers after the mass has been dried. A cover I! with handles l4 permits removal of the fibers from the chamber 8 when a sufileient quantity has collected. The weight 01' the cover together with the suction within the chamber enables the cover to seal itself against the top of the chamber. Continuous collection may be provided by means of two chambers 8 as indicated in Fig. 2. The conduit 8 may be put into communication with either of the chambers by means of a valve i5 controlled by a counter-weighted lever l8. With this arrangement emptying of one chamber 8 may proceed while the other is being filled.

In order to prevent clogging of the mouth 01' the conduit 8, the basic apparatus shown in Fig. 1

a may be developed into one or other of the forms shown in Figs. 3-7. For example, in Fig. 3 the discharge conduit 8 leads the fibers into a chamber l8 without a bottom, the sides 28 of the chamber extending below the level of liquid 2i contained in a trough 22 so as to keep the chamber I 8 sealed when suction is applied to the pipe 28. An endless band 28 passing below the chamber l8 receives the mass of fiber as it collects and carries it to the right. The band then raises the fiber to nip rolls 25 which remove surplus liquid and deliver the fiber for discharge as the band passes round the roller 28. Doctor blades 2'! prevent clinging of the fiber to the upper roller 25 and assist in removing the fiber-from the band 28.,

In Fig. 4 the conduit 8 discharges below the level of liquid 28 in a funnel-like chamber 28 to which suction is applied through the conduit I28. Liquid is fed to the chamber by means of a pipe 38 and is permitted by a valve ii to escape through the stem 82 of the chamber at a rate that maintains the mouth of the conduit 8 below the level of the liquid. As fiber collects in the chamber 28 it escapes by the stem .82 through nip rolls 83 and is discharged on to a draining belt 84x Doctor blades 85 prevent clinging of.

fiber to the rollers 83. A further doctor blade 88 assists in discharging-of the fiber from the belt 84. Liquid expressed from the fiber by the rolls 88 and draining from the belt 84 is caught in a trough 8'! together with any overflow liquid from the chamber 28 which escapes by the pipe 88. The liquid is returned from the trough 81 to the pipe 88 by the pump 38. An inspection window 48 permits the amount of fiber collecting inside the tank to be seen.

In Fig. 5 a conduit 8 is used in connection with a chamber 28 of the kind shown in Fig. 4, suction being applied through the conduit I28. Dis charge from the chamber is efiected through a bent stem H which delivers the wet mass of fibers on to a screen 82 in a trough 48, the fiow of liquid carrying the fibers away from the discharge point. The drained fibers can be lifted by hand or otherwise from the screen 42, the water collecting in the trough 48 being returned by the pump 38 to the chamber 28.

In Fig. 6 the chamber 44 to which suction i applied through the conduit I and the trough fibers from the chamber 58 ll serve for the collection of fiber from the conduit I in much' the same way as the apparatus shown in Fig. 3. The liquid 48 is, however, moved from left to right in the trough by means of a pump "and retumpipe 48 so that fibers are is is discharged over one of the doctor blades 52.

into a trough 58 containing a rake 54 lifted and reciprocated in any suitable way so as to open up the fibers and at the same time carry them towards and up the discharge slope I54 for passage through nip rolls 55 from which they are discharged into a suitable receptacle such as the truck 58.

In Fig. 7 is shown an apparatus particularly suitable for dealing with dry-cut fibers. The discharge conduit 8 leads into a suction chamber 51 extending transversely away from the conduit. The larger cross-section of the chamber as compared with that of the conduit reduces the velocity of the fibers and the fibers progress to the right-hand end of the chamber with a swirling motion that serves to open the fibers. The fibers are sucked down the discharge conduit 58 into a liquid chamber '58 having a depending wall 88 forming a seal between the chamber and a trough-like extension 8|. Suction is applied to the chamber 58 through the conduit I58. The liquid 82 is drawn from the chamber 58 into the trough 8| by means of the pump 68 and return pipe 84, the motion of the liquid carrying the and causing them to collect against a screen 65 ready for removal.

The liquid into which the fibers are discharged may contain-an anti-static finish in such concentration that when surplus liquid is expressed from the fibers and the fibers are dried, the desired amount of finish is left on the fibers.

The bath of liquid is replenished to make up the quantity removed with the fibers. For example, in the case of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, replenishment may take place each liquid below said surface.

2. Method of cutting and collecting staple fiber, comprising cutting staple fiber from continuous filaments, guiding the fibers from the cutting point below the level of a liquid, agitating the fibers while they are in the liquid and applying sub-atmospheric pressure to the surface of said liquid so as to discharge said fibers into said liquid below said surface.

3. Method of cutting and collecting staple fiber, comprising cutting staple fiber from continuous filaments. guiding the fibers from the cutting point below the level of a fiowing body of liquid and applying sub-atmospheric pressure to the surface of said liquid so as to discharge said fibers into said liquid below said surface.

4. Method of cutting and collecting staple fiber, comprising cutting staple fiber from continuous filaments, guiding the fibers from the cutting point below the level of a liquid, continuously removing the fibers from the liquid and applying sub-atmospheric pressure to the surface of said discharge said fibers into said liquid below said surface.

6. Method of cutting and collecting staple fiber,

comprising cutting staple fiber from continuous filaments, guiding the fibers from the cutting point below the level of a. liquid containing an anti-static finish and applying sub-atmospheric pressure to the suriace of said liquid so as to discharge said fibers into said liquid below said surface. 1

7. Method of cutting and collecting staple fiber, comprising cutting staple fiber from continuous filaments having a cellulose ester basis, guiding the fibers from the cutting point below the level of a liquid adapted to saponify the fibers and applying sub-atmospheric pressure to the surface of said liquid so as to discharge said fibers into said liquid below said surface.

8. Apparatus for cutting and collecting staple fiber, comprising a cutting machine, a suction conduit leading from the cutting machine, an

enclosed chamber into which the conduit projects downwardly, the chamber being adapted to contain liquid to a level above the end of the conduit, and means to apply suction to the chamber above the liquid level.

9. Apparatus for cutting and collecting staple fiber, comprising a cutting machine, a suction conduit leading from the cutting machine, an

enclosed chamber into which the conduit pro- Jects downwardly, the chamber being adapted to contain liquid to a level above the end of the conduit, means to apply suction to the chamber above the liquid level and means for agitating,

the fibers in the liquid chamber.

10. Apparatus for cutting and collecting staplefiber, comprising a cutting machine, a suction conduit leading from the cutting machine, an

enclosed chamber into which the conduit pro-' jects downwardly, the chamber being adapted to contain liquid to a level above the end 01 the conduit, means to apply suction to the chamber above the liquid level and means for producing a flow of liquid through the chamber.

11. Apparatus for cutting and collecting staplefiber, comprising a cutting machine, a suction conduit leading from the. cutting machine, an enclosed chamber into which the conduit proiects downwardly, the chamber being adapted to contain liquid to a level above the end of the conduit, means toapply suction to the chamber" above theliquid level and means for conveying the fibers from the chamber.

12. Apparatus for cutting and collecting staple fiber,- comprising a cutting machine, a suction conduit leading from the cutting machine, said conduit including a suction chamber, a further enclosed chamber into which the conduit projects downwardly, the further chamber being adapted to containliquid to a level above the end of the conduit, and means to apply suction to the further chamber above'the liquid level.

13. Apparatus according to'claim 12, wherein the suction chamber extends in a transverse direction with respect to the remainder of the conduit in which it is included.

WILLIAM IVAN TAYLOR. LESHEBRISBANE GIB BINS. 

